As a seasoned gamer and DC Universe enthusiast with over two decades of immersion in this captivating world, I must say that “The Penguin” series is an absolute treat for my eyes and mind. The intricate weaving of parallel narratives with Matt Reeves’ Batman universe without being too explicit is a masterstroke that keeps me hooked.
One of the coolest aspects of the HBO series The Penguin is how it runs parallel to Matt Reeves’ Batman universe without having to directly mention it every other scene. We might see disciples of Paul Dano’s Riddler handing out leaflets, and of course the flood that happened at the end of The Batman continues to plague Gotham. But The Penguin very clearly is setting out to tell its own story of Oz Cobb (Colin Farrell), a player in the ongoing gang wars who causes problems for himself, and for the Falcones, in the series premiere.
Episode 2 of “The Penguin” delved more into the captivating character of Sofia Falcone, brilliantly portrayed by Cristin Milioti (from “Palm Springs”). Similar to other characters, Sofia finds herself entangled in the power struggle that ensued after her father’s murder, crime lord Carmine Falcone (portrayed on the series by Mark Strong). This episode also subtly revealed aspects of Sofia’s past, including her time at Arkham Asylum for a string of murders, which earned her the chilling nickname The Hangman. In this installment, we are introduced to Sofia’s psychiatrist, Julian Rush. His hypnosis techniques reminded me somewhat of another psychologist in the DC universe: Dr. Jonathan Crane, better known as The Scarecrow.
It’s possible that I am overanalyzing links to Batman mythology in “The Penguin.” However, after watching Episode 2, I wondered aloud if the show’s director, Craig Zobel, had ever discussed using Jonathan Crane instead of Julian Rush. In response, he shared with TopMob:
It’s plausible that there were stories set within Arkham Asylum. Our intention was not to tie these tales together as we wanted to leave room for Matt Reeves to develop them further if he chose to. Instead, our focus was on creating a standalone character who worked as a doctor in Arkham Asylum, which seemed the most sensible approach for the narrative.
Absolutely on the same page here! It appears that “The Penguin” is serving as a link between “The Batman” and Matt Reeves’ upcoming sequel, titled “The Batman: Part 2.” Unfortunately, we’re still in the dark about the storyline for this movie, and it seems like we have a long road ahead until its release in 2026. I find it quite intriguing to ponder whether Reeves might opt for a villain other than The Scarecrow, given his significant role in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy. If so, recreating a portrayal as captivating as Cillian Murphy’s would undeniably pose a challenge.
In Episode 2 of The Penguin, the short scene featuring Sofia in Arkham significantly prepares us for her past. So far, it’s evident that her connection with her deceased brother, Alberto, is driving her actions. At this point, she remains unaware that Oz was behind his death, but this revelation will undoubtedly trouble her deeply.
I inquired about Craig Zobel’s intentions for this short yet significant scene, and he provided further insight to me (TopMob).
First off, let me clarify that you will be spending some private time with Sofia. It’s crucial to understand that Sofia has experienced significant trauma. Moreover, it’s essential to recognize that she remains a potential danger to Oz, as her feelings towards the deceased, Alberto, are unique compared to other members of the Falcone family. To them, he was merely Carmine’s son with few allies within the family. However, for Sofia, he was a true ally. This detail is worth noting.
In “The Penguin,” we’ll delve deeper into this topic as the series progresses. So far, it’s been impressively innovative, and you can expect it to further dismantle the harmful influence of The Penguin within what’s left of Gotham. Keep watching!
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2024-09-30 17:37